Pick, Prediction, & Preview:

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs NC State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack of NC State will play host to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Friday night at 7:30 pm EST at Carter-Finely Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Demon Deacons are coming off a 41-24 home loss to the Syracuse Orange last weekend as they played well enough to win in many aspects, yet with almost 100 yards in penalties along with three huge turnovers, they could not build from their prior blowout win versus the Louisville Cardinals the week prior. The Wolfpack were back on the winning track after battling four quarters with the Florida State Seminoles at home and winning by a 47-28 score as Ryan Finley threw for three TD’s in the win, their first in three games after beginning the season at 5-0. The last time these two teams met on November 18, 2017 as Wake Forest picked up the 30-24 home win as they covered as three-point home favorites.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons's Latest Performance :

Wake Forest is not playing for much within the Coastal division of the ACC as they are only 1-4 on the year; However, they are playing for a bowl game. With road games versus the Wolfpack and Duke coming up, they will also have their final home game of the season next week versus the Panthers of Pittsburgh. Not a very easy road, however, the Demon Deacons have some incentive to come out to play this Wolfpack team whose defense has been up and down in their past few outings in allowing at least 35 points in each of their last four games, overall. They allowed 41 to the Orange in their last time out while out-gaining Syracuse 434-426 total yards for the game.

Nonetheless, the Deacons had three costly turnovers which changed the complexity of the game, thus causing them to drop their third game in four outings. Sam Hartman threw for 275 yard and two TD’s yet had a pick in the game. His favorite target was Greg Dortch who finished with 95 yards and a touchdown catch on nine catches. Michael Colburn II rushed for 67 yards for an attack that posted 159 yards for the game. In all, the Deacons are horrible on defense in ranking in the 100’s or lower in every major defensive category, however, they have the 22nd ranked rushing attack in the nation along with a 29th ranking in total yards per game with over 450 yards per outing.

NC State Wolfpack 's Latest Performance :

The Wolfpack’s Ryan Finely has played well in his last two outings while rebounding nicely from a two-game stretch to where he threw for only two TD’s compared with four picks. Nonetheless, he has picked things up lately as he has thrown for six touchdown passes compared with only one interception in his last two. And while their passing game put up 240 yards in their win over the Noles, the rushing attack, led by Reggie Gollaspy Jr with 106 yards along with a score, put up a combined 186 yards for the game on a Florida State defensive line that were pushed around constantly throughout the game. NC State does not control its destiny in the ACC Atlantic after a horrible stretch to where they lost to both the first and third place teams in the division in Clemson and Syracuse, while beating Boston College at home on the October 6th.

Nonetheless, they must continue to win as their schedule entail facing three more teams in 2018 that have a combined record of 9-25. Through it all, the Wolfpack certainly hopes for their success to continue at home versus a struggling Wake Forest team that has not been consistent at all.

How Wake Forest Demon Deacons & NC State Wolfpack Matchup.

Vegas Odds, Offshore Odds, & Odds ATS:

Wake Forest is 2-6 ATS while the OU is 6-2

NC State is 3-4 ATS while the OU is 3-4

In-Depth Analysis of each team:

As stated, Wake Forest will attempt to go into Carter Finely in which to pull off an upset versus the NC State Wolfpack on Friday. They certainly have the Bowl season to look forward to yet needs to win two of their last three in which to qualify. As stated, with Duke, Pitt, along with a Wolfpack team that is attempting to get back on track after some ugly losses, this will certainly not come easy. However, the fact is that Hartman is out for the season due to injury which will certainly impact their chances. Nonetheless, Dortch must be able to step up versus a Wolfpack pass defense that is awful in allowing over three hundred yards per game to their opponents while also utilizing their highly ranked rushing attack in which to make this game interesting.

Against The Spread Selection: Pick: NC State Wolfpack

My reason for the pick :

Of course, there are benefits that point to the Demon Deacons keeping this game close or maybe having the potential to pull out an outright win, however, there is also one distinct reason as to why the Wolfpack will win this contest. The Demon Deacons cannot stop the run either the pass this season. And with Finley and company looking to ride the momentum of their last loss, they will pick up some big plays versus a Wake team that continues to find themselves at the losing end of games lately.

Totals Selection: Pick: Over

My reason for the prediction :

Due to both teams having shaky pass secondaries, look for both Wake and NC State to have some success early and often versus the opponents passing attack. Also, the rushing attack may also have a solid night as this game will likely be one big play after the next, judging by the performances of these teams recently and throughout the year. In all, the over will indeed be the strong play in that it has been the play in the six of the last eight games for the Demon Deacons while being the result in four of the last six games for the Wolfpack.

Betting trends for Wake Forest Demon Deacons:

Wake Forest is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Wake Forest’s last 7 games

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Wake Forest’s last 7 games on the road

Wake Forest is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing North Carolina State

Betting trends for NC State Wolfpack :

North Carolina State is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home

North Carolina State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Wake Forest

North Carolina State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Wake Forest

Falepa

A sports analyst and enthusiast, Filipa enjoys writing articles for NHL, NBA, NCAAB, and, of course, for NCAAF. In addition, he enjoys the true art of breaking down games in such as way as to locate certain trends that can impact future contests. With a willingness to research, construct, and relay information that any reader can understand, Filipa aims to provide the reader with interesting & indepth knowledge for upcoming sporting events.